To understand the meaning of the concept, first, obviously, you need to look into the translation dictionary. Then it will be clear what is at stake. From English to Russian last name is translated as "last name" or "surname". Nothing complicated, right? So we got the answer to the question, what is the last name. But think about it. What do you really know about this issue? A surname is not just a prefix characteristic of members of the same genus.
What is last name
A surname is a part of a given name that refers to the bearer's family (sometimes a tribe or community). Depending on traditions and laws, all family members may have the same last name or different.
Surnames have not always existed and are not present in all cultures today. The tradition itself originated separately in different places around the world. In Europe, the concept became popular during Roman times and expanded throughout the Mediterranean and the western part.continent. During the Middle Ages the practice died out as Germanic, Persian and other influences took hold. During the late Middle Ages, surnames were gradually reborn, first as special names (usually indicating the occupation or area of \u200b\u200bthe person), which gradually acquired a modern look. In China, the phenomenon has been the norm since at least the 2nd century BC.
History
When analyzing the question of what the last name is, it is necessary to dig into the history of English surnames.
It may seem that they have been used for a long time, but the appearance of surnames is a relatively recent phenomenon. A four-year study by the University of the West of England, which ended in 2016, analyzed sources from the 11th and 19th centuries to unravel the origins of British surnames. The study found that over 90% of the names come from the UK and Ireland, with the most common being Smith, Jones, Williams, Brown, Taylor, Johnson and Lee.
The results were published in the Oxford English Dictionary of Family Names in the UK and Ireland. Project leader Professor Richard Coates called the study "more detailed and precise" than previous ones. According to him, "Some surnames have an origin that is professional - Smith (blacksmith) and Baker (baker) are obvious examples. There is also a connection with the place of residence, for example Hill (hill) or Green (green). Some surnamesoriginally fixed the name of the father - for example, Jackson or Jenkinson. Sometimes names come from nicknames and tritely describe the appearance or character of a person, such as Brown (brown), Short (short) or Slim (skinny)".
This study explains in some depth what a last name is.
However, the meanings of some surnames remain unknown or unclear.
Varieties
Basil Cottle divided European surnames into four large types (depending on their origin): first name, patronymic name, profession name, locality and nickname. This classification can be extended to surnames from other parts of the world. Other etymologists use a more complete classification, but these four categories always underlie.
